Celtic ............0

Rangers .......1

RANGERS moved back to their now accustomed position at the top of the premier division after this victory at Parkhead last night. And Celtic were left waiting for an end to the disastrous run, during which they have been unable to win any of the last eight Old Firm clashes.

It seemed that this would be their best opportunity until, after only eight minutes, Brian Laudrup, at whose hands they have suffered so often, decided to take advantage of a mistake and then add his own brilliant flourish.

There seemed no danger when a ball came out of defence and Brian O'Neil went to clear. However, somehow, as the Parkhead defender attempted to bring the ball under control, he lost his balance. When he fell, Laudrup pounced.

The Dane moved forward, away from the rest of the Celtic defence, and placed his finish carefully beyond Stewart Kerr and into goal.

Suddenly Celtic, the favourites, were behind. And they were behind against a Rangers team which appeared to have been set out for a holding game.

Craig Moore was drafted in to add defensive cover in midfield, and Laudrup was left, more or less, alone up front.

However, that ploy succeeded early, with Laudrup doing the damage and Celtic being left to chase what once more turned out to be a lost cause.

It was a night of drama, a night when both teams had penalties, and when the rival keepers were able to save from these spot kicks.

A night, too, when Celtic manager Tommy Burns was sent to the stand by referee Hugh Dallas after a touchline outburst against the stand-side linesman, who had failed to raise his flag as the German, Jorg Albertz, burst forward in what appeared to be a certain offside position.

The fourth official brought Burns' behaviour to the attention of a linesman, he flagged over referee Dallas, and Burns was sent to the stand.

The frustration was understandable, but there is little doubt that the indiscipline which has been seen at Celtic Park this year is not about to help their cause as they attempt to stop their Old Firm rivals winning their ninth successive league title.

Last night as well as the manager's indiscretion, Celtic had five players booked, Peter Grant, Paolo di Canio, Alan Stubbs, Pierre van Hooydonk, and Jackie McNamara, all shown yellow cards for varying offences.

In contrast, Rangers suffered just one booking, Derek McInnes, for a foul on di Canio.

Rangers always appeared to be more in control of the situation despite allowing Celtic a degree of territorial advantage. While Celtic pushed forward, the Ibrox men were content to counter-attack, relying on the skills and the pace of Laudrup.

Indeed, while Celtic had so much more of the play, it was Rangers who had the best of the chances. In the second half, in particular, the substitute, Peter van Vossen, who arrived just 13 minutes from the end, received two clear-cut openings.

In 84 minutes, when he seemed offside, he was given a pass from Albertz just six yards out, but then sent his shot over.

Then, in injury time, he was given an equally good opportunity but allowed Kerr to block his try for goal when scoring seemed an easier option.

Kerr, making his Old Firm debut, had earned the acclaim of the Celtic fans earlier in the match. In 67 minutes the first of the two penalties was awarded.

Paul Gascoigne sent Laudrup into the box, the young keeper brought down the Ibrox forward, and the referee pointed to the spot.

Gascoigne elected to take the kick - and Kerr saved.

Eighteen minutes later, Rangers comeback keeper Andy Goram gave an action replay when Celtic were awarded a penalty after a Richard Gough tackle on Simon Donnelly.

Van Hooydonk took the kick but instead of using his ferocious shooting power, the Dutchman attempted to place the ball and Goram moved to his right and punched the ball away, and Celtic's chances of saving the match and their position at the top had gone.

The victory is not - and both managers said before the match - decisive in terms of the championship. But Rangers still present a massive psychological barrier to Celtic in this season which has become so vitally important to the clubs and to the rival supports.

Last year the Parkhead men were not able to record a victory over their Old Firm rivals in six attempts. Now, Rangers have won twice in their two premier division meetings.

The title may not be decided simply on the matches between these two Glasgow sides, but there is little doubt that the remaining two games will go a long way towards deciding the outcome of this season's epic struggle.

CELTIC - Kerr, Boyd, O'Neil, McNamara, Stubbs, Grant, De Canio, Wieghorst, Van Hooydonk, Thom, Donnelly. Substitutes - McKinlay, Marshall, Cadete.

RANGERS - Goram, Cleland, Robertson, Gough, Petric, Bjorklund, Moore, Gascoigne, McInnes, Albertz, Laudrup. Substitutes - Van Vossen, McCoist, Snelders.

Referee - H Dallas (Motherwell).